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The Invitation
Thirteen guests. One killer. No escape.
On an island on the coast of Cornwall, cut off from the mainland by the tides for most of the day, thirteen old friends meet at Tregowan Castle for a weekend of revelry.
By the next evening only twelve are still alive.
Amongst them is a killer – but who? As a storm traps them on the island and past betrayals and grievances are revealed, nerves fray and friendships begin to fracture.
But with no escape and no way of calling for help it’s only a matter of time before the killer strikes again. And when everyone is keeping secrets, anybody could be the next victim…
Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List and Agatha Christie.
On an island on the coast of Cornwall, cut off from the mainland by the tides for most of the day, thirteen old friends meet at Tregowan Castle for a weekend of revelry.
By the next evening only twelve are still alive.
Amongst them is a killer – but who? As a storm traps them on the island and past betrayals and grievances are revealed, nerves fray and friendships begin to fracture.
But with no escape and no way of calling for help it’s only a matter of time before the killer strikes again. And when everyone is keeping secrets, anybody could be the next victim…
Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List and Agatha Christie.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2021
107 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
April 2, 2021
I'm not sure who told this person they could write, but they were wrong. This book is laughably bad. The plot itself is okay, there's something to it, but oh my gosh. I can't believe it. The characters are all awful. All of them. None of them are likeable. By the time you find out who the victim is, who cares? Nobody. I'm glad they're dead. And none of them are well-written. The dialogue is so unbelievable, people use the word 'behooves' which I've never heard anyone say in real life.
The exposition is ridiculous, a character at one point literally says "But wait a minute, you're confirming that their guilt about..." Who talks like that? No one. The thing that stands out the most is that every chapter ends with some cheesy quip or a rhetorical question. Just a paragraph of exposition and then, "But who are they staring daggers at?" "And collateral damage isn't such a big deal, is it?" "But will she just shoot the messenger?"
Here are some of the best worst lines in this thing: "They say confession is good for the soul. But stabbing may be even better." "Maybe she should go from being dead drunk to just being dead." "It will truly be a crime against nature if the sea has swallowed that beautiful man-child." THAT one really had me laughing, are you serious? Who calls a 20-year-old a man-child. Who calls ANYONE a man-child?
I'm also not entirely sure that the mystery of this thing was actually solved. Parts of it don't make sense, and you never actually hear the reveal, it's just oh- more exposition, more info dumping, okay, it's the end now. This book is a joke.
The exposition is ridiculous, a character at one point literally says "But wait a minute, you're confirming that their guilt about..." Who talks like that? No one. The thing that stands out the most is that every chapter ends with some cheesy quip or a rhetorical question. Just a paragraph of exposition and then, "But who are they staring daggers at?" "And collateral damage isn't such a big deal, is it?" "But will she just shoot the messenger?"
Here are some of the best worst lines in this thing: "They say confession is good for the soul. But stabbing may be even better." "Maybe she should go from being dead drunk to just being dead." "It will truly be a crime against nature if the sea has swallowed that beautiful man-child." THAT one really had me laughing, are you serious? Who calls a 20-year-old a man-child. Who calls ANYONE a man-child?
I'm also not entirely sure that the mystery of this thing was actually solved. Parts of it don't make sense, and you never actually hear the reveal, it's just oh- more exposition, more info dumping, okay, it's the end now. This book is a joke.
March 25, 2021
On an island on the coast of Cornwall, cut off from the mainland by the tides for most of the day, thirteen old friends meet at Tregowan Castle for a weekend of revelry. By the next evening only twelve are alive. Amongst them is a killer - but who? A storm traps them on the island and past betrayals and grievances are revealed, nerves are fray and friendships begin to fracture. There's no escape and no way of calling for help.
This whodunit remined me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I like trying to work out a whodunit, it makes it more of an interesting read. All the characters have secrets to hide and each of the chapters is told from a different character. I like the authors writing style. This book will keep you guessing to the end. This is the first book that i've read by the author but it certainly won't be the last.
i would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #AMCastle for my ARC of #TheInvitation in exchange for an honest review.
This whodunit remined me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I like trying to work out a whodunit, it makes it more of an interesting read. All the characters have secrets to hide and each of the chapters is told from a different character. I like the authors writing style. This book will keep you guessing to the end. This is the first book that i've read by the author but it certainly won't be the last.
i would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #AMCastle for my ARC of #TheInvitation in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2021
Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.
Tregowan Castle is the cold and forbidding yet vast and regal home of an old and wealthy family. Their newest member, Rachel, marries into it and brings with it her increased wealthy status, as well as her old university friends and their new families. Thirteen individuals, from all walks of life, will spend an unforgettable Halloween weekend cut off from the rest of civilisation on this island castle, with some of their number never making it off of there alive.
Sinister and isolated settings are my favourite to read about, in thriller fiction. The atmosphere of this ancient abode set the desired mood and tone of the book, very early on in the proceedings. From the moment the cast arrived, shadowy corners, medieval torture weapons, sudden chilly breezes, and reminders of the setting's bloody history were there to greet them. These all combined to ensure the characters were never at ease in their temporary, or long-term, residence and also allowed the reader to share in the fear and foreboding that would later haunt all its inhabitants.
The thirteen individuals who walked through the dim interior varied in their age, ease in their surroundings, reason for being there, and happiness levels for their current predicament. One thing all shared was the secrets they longed to keep firmly locked away, and which their host, Rachel, was very keen to expose. Many of these characters were provided with their own perspective to share what occurred during short, sharp chapters that kept my interest heightened and the insights feeling fresh and ever altering.
All these aspects combined to ensure this remained intriguing throughout but I did long for an increase in pacing, during the central section. Much of the focus, during this time, was spent on the characters inability to figure out the reason for the tragedies befalling them, which led to them becoming increasingly irrational, judgemental, and accusatory. This was all to be expected, but I felt the story lingered there for too long.
The concluding reveals more than made up for this, however, and the entire last portion was a series of gasp-inducing twists that I definitely did not previously guess at occurring. The sheer number of secrets that were revealed might have made this feel a little unbelievable, but I had too good a time within these pages to truly care.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, A.M. Castle, and the publisher, HQ, for this opportunity.
Tregowan Castle is the cold and forbidding yet vast and regal home of an old and wealthy family. Their newest member, Rachel, marries into it and brings with it her increased wealthy status, as well as her old university friends and their new families. Thirteen individuals, from all walks of life, will spend an unforgettable Halloween weekend cut off from the rest of civilisation on this island castle, with some of their number never making it off of there alive.
Sinister and isolated settings are my favourite to read about, in thriller fiction. The atmosphere of this ancient abode set the desired mood and tone of the book, very early on in the proceedings. From the moment the cast arrived, shadowy corners, medieval torture weapons, sudden chilly breezes, and reminders of the setting's bloody history were there to greet them. These all combined to ensure the characters were never at ease in their temporary, or long-term, residence and also allowed the reader to share in the fear and foreboding that would later haunt all its inhabitants.
The thirteen individuals who walked through the dim interior varied in their age, ease in their surroundings, reason for being there, and happiness levels for their current predicament. One thing all shared was the secrets they longed to keep firmly locked away, and which their host, Rachel, was very keen to expose. Many of these characters were provided with their own perspective to share what occurred during short, sharp chapters that kept my interest heightened and the insights feeling fresh and ever altering.
All these aspects combined to ensure this remained intriguing throughout but I did long for an increase in pacing, during the central section. Much of the focus, during this time, was spent on the characters inability to figure out the reason for the tragedies befalling them, which led to them becoming increasingly irrational, judgemental, and accusatory. This was all to be expected, but I felt the story lingered there for too long.
The concluding reveals more than made up for this, however, and the entire last portion was a series of gasp-inducing twists that I definitely did not previously guess at occurring. The sheer number of secrets that were revealed might have made this feel a little unbelievable, but I had too good a time within these pages to truly care.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, A.M. Castle, and the publisher, HQ, for this opportunity.
March 30, 2021
I love discovering new authors and I am a particular fan of the “whodunnit?” stories. Here, Castle really sets the atmosphere with thirteen guests reuniting for Halloween on a remote island, blocked in by terrible weather.
The narrative is a bit confusing to follow at first because of the number of characters we follow. Castle switches perspective at every chapter and it took me a while to remember the different identities and connections. As a result, it did take me a bit of time to get into the plot, but I was seen desperate to see how events would follow.
Opening with the murder, the first half of the book details events leading up to this fateful night. It is only a mere day before this even takes place, but it feels longer! I think this is because we are switching between the different characters so you really get a sense of learning a lot about them and their motivations. With the thirteen guests there are obvious winners and losers: the characters you want to support and the ones you enjoy disliking. However, despite the broad range of characters, all seem to have a motive behind the murder. I really could not fathom who might be to blame and this was especially intensified because Castle demonstrates that all the characters have hidden secrets from their friends and even spouses.
The setting really adds to the drama of the story. Set on a rocky island off the coast of Cornwall sounds idyllic. However, it is remote and, during October/November, the weather can be pretty poor. Yet, it seems like Rachel’s guests are really in for a rocky ride as a horrific storm is due to hit the island. Castle’s descriptions of the island and sea are as powerful as the tides themselves. It emphasised the atmosphere of the story and how really, all of the characters are like an island themselves: metaphorically distanced from each other because of the secrets they hide.
I really enjoyed the build-up to this story but found the last quarter a bit of a drag. I thought the plot went “off the boil” and lost the momentum that Castle had established in the narrative. The characters tend to stay together in one room – for comfort and support – and, whilst the narrative still moves between people, I thought it really slowed down and not much happened. I, like the characters, was waiting for rescue from this island – and some answers too. Furthermore, there was one revelation towards the end of the story that I could not grasp. It pushed my reason of believability too far and I think this ruined by enjoyment of the story a bit more. Every character has some sort of connection and hidden secret with the host, Rachel, but I think one of the disclosures felt too fanciful and didn’t fit with my understanding of the narrative.
Overall, this is a good murder mystery story. The characters and setting add to the intensity of the drama that unfolds. I really liked the writer’s style and I am excited to have discovered a new author! For me, the slowing pace and incredible revelation caused me to only award this a 4-star rating, for an otherwise really enjoyable story.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative is a bit confusing to follow at first because of the number of characters we follow. Castle switches perspective at every chapter and it took me a while to remember the different identities and connections. As a result, it did take me a bit of time to get into the plot, but I was seen desperate to see how events would follow.
Opening with the murder, the first half of the book details events leading up to this fateful night. It is only a mere day before this even takes place, but it feels longer! I think this is because we are switching between the different characters so you really get a sense of learning a lot about them and their motivations. With the thirteen guests there are obvious winners and losers: the characters you want to support and the ones you enjoy disliking. However, despite the broad range of characters, all seem to have a motive behind the murder. I really could not fathom who might be to blame and this was especially intensified because Castle demonstrates that all the characters have hidden secrets from their friends and even spouses.
The setting really adds to the drama of the story. Set on a rocky island off the coast of Cornwall sounds idyllic. However, it is remote and, during October/November, the weather can be pretty poor. Yet, it seems like Rachel’s guests are really in for a rocky ride as a horrific storm is due to hit the island. Castle’s descriptions of the island and sea are as powerful as the tides themselves. It emphasised the atmosphere of the story and how really, all of the characters are like an island themselves: metaphorically distanced from each other because of the secrets they hide.
I really enjoyed the build-up to this story but found the last quarter a bit of a drag. I thought the plot went “off the boil” and lost the momentum that Castle had established in the narrative. The characters tend to stay together in one room – for comfort and support – and, whilst the narrative still moves between people, I thought it really slowed down and not much happened. I, like the characters, was waiting for rescue from this island – and some answers too. Furthermore, there was one revelation towards the end of the story that I could not grasp. It pushed my reason of believability too far and I think this ruined by enjoyment of the story a bit more. Every character has some sort of connection and hidden secret with the host, Rachel, but I think one of the disclosures felt too fanciful and didn’t fit with my understanding of the narrative.
Overall, this is a good murder mystery story. The characters and setting add to the intensity of the drama that unfolds. I really liked the writer’s style and I am excited to have discovered a new author! For me, the slowing pace and incredible revelation caused me to only award this a 4-star rating, for an otherwise really enjoyable story.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2024
1⭐️= Not For Me.
Audio.
Both the narration and the storyline felt forced and immature. I just kept waiting for something to happen…and it didn’t!
Audio.
Both the narration and the storyline felt forced and immature. I just kept waiting for something to happen…and it didn’t!
April 20, 2021
Why do I always go for these kind of thrillers!!!! The classic trope, friends that don’t really get on all go on a holiday together to somewhere isolated and unreachable by the outside world. There’s an Alpha female whose only job is to be bitchy and pretty, a plain Jane (literally), an alcoholic, mother hen and some men that seem to get away unscathed despite being awful characters. Throw in some secrets, infidelity and a murder and that’s basically this thriller along with all the other ones where a group of friends get together and go on holiday. That’s basically the plot of The Invitation.
Maybe I’ve read too many thrillers like this, but this was so boring and unsurprising. I pretty much knew what was going to happen half way in. All the characters were very one dimensional, and the men seemed to get away with everything whilst the women treated each other terribly! It made me think why on earth they were even with each other if they didn’t like each other that much.
I’ve gotta give one 1 stars unfortunately.
Maybe I’ve read too many thrillers like this, but this was so boring and unsurprising. I pretty much knew what was going to happen half way in. All the characters were very one dimensional, and the men seemed to get away with everything whilst the women treated each other terribly! It made me think why on earth they were even with each other if they didn’t like each other that much.
I’ve gotta give one 1 stars unfortunately.
March 26, 2021
A contemporary twist on the locked room thriller made popular by Agatha Christie, The Invitation grips and enthrals from the moment you pick it up. Thirteen friends meet at a castle and whisk themselves away for a fun weekend on a remote island off the Cornish coast. But it certainly isn't going to be any fun for them. Needless to say, it doesn't take long for things to take a turn for the worse. Thirteen friends arrive but only twelve will leave. Who is the killer in their midst? The premise has been done a million times before but Castle has crafted a particularly compulsive version that is head and shoulders above many other attempts at locked room reads. A fast paced, exciting and danger-filled page-turner. Highly recommended.
August 9, 2021
The best character in this book is the raging storm. Everybody else was painfully cliché. We have the alcoholic single mother, the rich bitch, the plain Jane, the people pleasing wife/mother who turns a blind eye to her husband's infidelity, and the misogynistic asshole of a man.
Speaking of painful, the killer was so obvious right from the beginning that Scooby Doo and the gang could have solved the mystery in record time. Additionally, all the 'dark secrets' became obvious so early on that it sucked all the suspense right out of the story.
My one positive: The isolated island setting and castle are amazing. The storm and angry sea really added to the claustrophobia, desperation and terror of being trapped on an island with a killer. I gave this book an extra star for that alone. Otherwise, this is yet another poor attempt at cashing in on the success of The Guest List.
I enjoy locked room mysteries, but there are far better ones out there. I'd recommend almost any other one over this. The Guest List, Whisper Island and Shiver come to mind.
Speaking of painful, the killer was so obvious right from the beginning that Scooby Doo and the gang could have solved the mystery in record time. Additionally, all the 'dark secrets' became obvious so early on that it sucked all the suspense right out of the story.
My one positive: The isolated island setting and castle are amazing. The storm and angry sea really added to the claustrophobia, desperation and terror of being trapped on an island with a killer. I gave this book an extra star for that alone. Otherwise, this is yet another poor attempt at cashing in on the success of The Guest List.
I enjoy locked room mysteries, but there are far better ones out there. I'd recommend almost any other one over this. The Guest List, Whisper Island and Shiver come to mind.
April 30, 2021
'Secrets, secrets and even more secrets!'
This proved to be a decent 'whodunnit' murder mystery adventure very much in the mould of Agatha Christie.
Set on a small island, just off the coast of Cornwall, after a 20 year gap 4 female friends and their families come together for a very special Halloween weekend. Little do they know that the black storm clouds are building fast and things are about to take a serious turn for the worse - in fact, it could well prove fatal for one or more of the gathered attendees. Let the festivities commence!
A good, strong start with lots to admire, and a good idea for each chapter to represent the particular POV of different guests, including clever overlap, with the basic storyline containing plenty of bitter interaction and well disguised twists and turns, all meandering down towards the story's final conclusion.
Although the story was entertaining, I also found it to be just too unrealistic at times, included some under-developed characters and contained holes in the explanations which detracted noticeably from the piece as a whole and ultimately from the overall reading experience. In fact, the end which did actually make sense and was well thought out, did feel a little rushed, hollow and lacked clear explanation from all the main participants points of view.
Thinking of the whole experience, I was left with the over-riding thought of how could 4 very different women be so negative towards one another, yet still claim to be the very best of friends? Believe me, with friends like these you certainly don't need enemies!
A good idea, which failed to completely satisfy and deliver, ending up in a feeling of slight disappointment.
Rating: 3.2 mysterious dark stars.
This proved to be a decent 'whodunnit' murder mystery adventure very much in the mould of Agatha Christie.
Set on a small island, just off the coast of Cornwall, after a 20 year gap 4 female friends and their families come together for a very special Halloween weekend. Little do they know that the black storm clouds are building fast and things are about to take a serious turn for the worse - in fact, it could well prove fatal for one or more of the gathered attendees. Let the festivities commence!
A good, strong start with lots to admire, and a good idea for each chapter to represent the particular POV of different guests, including clever overlap, with the basic storyline containing plenty of bitter interaction and well disguised twists and turns, all meandering down towards the story's final conclusion.
Although the story was entertaining, I also found it to be just too unrealistic at times, included some under-developed characters and contained holes in the explanations which detracted noticeably from the piece as a whole and ultimately from the overall reading experience. In fact, the end which did actually make sense and was well thought out, did feel a little rushed, hollow and lacked clear explanation from all the main participants points of view.
Thinking of the whole experience, I was left with the over-riding thought of how could 4 very different women be so negative towards one another, yet still claim to be the very best of friends? Believe me, with friends like these you certainly don't need enemies!
A good idea, which failed to completely satisfy and deliver, ending up in a feeling of slight disappointment.
Rating: 3.2 mysterious dark stars.
May 29, 2021
3.5 stars
I'll start with the positives; Castle's ambiance and atmosphere were phenomenal. She really made the island and Castle come to life; her description was straightforward to visualize. The storm was terrific. I felt the claustrophobic and dooming mood that being isolated when a tragedy happens will indeed evoke.
The plot was enough to grab my attention – I love me an isolated setting and a locked room mystery. I will ALWAYS pick up a book that promises to deliver my favourite trope ever. The execution could have been better, though. We started off by not knowing who had died; we find out halfway through the book, though – at which point the book becomes a standard linear whodunnit. There is nothing wrong with that choice; it is just not my taste. I prefer either classic whodunnit or a "murder in retrospect" that waits until the last fifth of the book to start coming together.
Suppose you read any of my mystery reviews before. In that case, you know that my number one pet peeve is when an author throws curveballs and hides crucial information. Unfortunately, I don't feel that Castle played very fair with some of her twists: A couple really came out of the left field, and though entertaining, this is, again, something I prefer not to see in books I enjoy. That being said, at least those choices were within character.
Talking about Characters… This is where my conflict lies. At first glance, the characters are stereotypical, one-dimensional, and caricatures of real people. At the same time, Castle managed to make each character their own person and remain consistent throughout the book, not an easy feature when you have 13 main characters! Were they absurd and unlikeable? Yeah. But if one reads them as satire, they were brilliant. Not to mention that I couldn't stand any of them, except for the 2 oldest children; this might mean it was the author's intention for the characters to be satirical. I hope.
The rest of my review (my personal feelings) contains major spoilers, so check my full review on my blog, if interested: https://frostawingsit.ca/2021/05/12/t...
What I'll say here is that I do have major issues with parts of the book even though I feel that more people will love this book than not – The Invitation has a witty tone, and it is delightfully British. Besides, what mystery lover doesn't live for an isolated setting in a locked room mystery?
This book really made me glad to have criteria for rating, which I feel allows me to be fairer. If I had gone by feeling alone, I would have probably rated The Invitation 2 stars, but how just would it be to the author who got many things right in her book? Not fair at all.
I haven't felt this strongly about parts of a book in a long time! Again, these are MY ISSUES (if you read my full review you know what I'm talking about). And believe it or not, If you don't take things as seriously as I do and are looking for a fast-paced, easy read, entertaining isolated setting, whodunnit. You might love The Invitation. Just don't go in expecting similarities to Lucy Foley's and Agatha Christie's books; As a fan of their style, I didn't see any.
I'll start with the positives; Castle's ambiance and atmosphere were phenomenal. She really made the island and Castle come to life; her description was straightforward to visualize. The storm was terrific. I felt the claustrophobic and dooming mood that being isolated when a tragedy happens will indeed evoke.
The plot was enough to grab my attention – I love me an isolated setting and a locked room mystery. I will ALWAYS pick up a book that promises to deliver my favourite trope ever. The execution could have been better, though. We started off by not knowing who had died; we find out halfway through the book, though – at which point the book becomes a standard linear whodunnit. There is nothing wrong with that choice; it is just not my taste. I prefer either classic whodunnit or a "murder in retrospect" that waits until the last fifth of the book to start coming together.
Suppose you read any of my mystery reviews before. In that case, you know that my number one pet peeve is when an author throws curveballs and hides crucial information. Unfortunately, I don't feel that Castle played very fair with some of her twists: A couple really came out of the left field, and though entertaining, this is, again, something I prefer not to see in books I enjoy. That being said, at least those choices were within character.
Talking about Characters… This is where my conflict lies. At first glance, the characters are stereotypical, one-dimensional, and caricatures of real people. At the same time, Castle managed to make each character their own person and remain consistent throughout the book, not an easy feature when you have 13 main characters! Were they absurd and unlikeable? Yeah. But if one reads them as satire, they were brilliant. Not to mention that I couldn't stand any of them, except for the 2 oldest children; this might mean it was the author's intention for the characters to be satirical. I hope.
The rest of my review (my personal feelings) contains major spoilers, so check my full review on my blog, if interested: https://frostawingsit.ca/2021/05/12/t...
What I'll say here is that I do have major issues with parts of the book even though I feel that more people will love this book than not – The Invitation has a witty tone, and it is delightfully British. Besides, what mystery lover doesn't live for an isolated setting in a locked room mystery?
This book really made me glad to have criteria for rating, which I feel allows me to be fairer. If I had gone by feeling alone, I would have probably rated The Invitation 2 stars, but how just would it be to the author who got many things right in her book? Not fair at all.
I haven't felt this strongly about parts of a book in a long time! Again, these are MY ISSUES (if you read my full review you know what I'm talking about). And believe it or not, If you don't take things as seriously as I do and are looking for a fast-paced, easy read, entertaining isolated setting, whodunnit. You might love The Invitation. Just don't go in expecting similarities to Lucy Foley's and Agatha Christie's books; As a fan of their style, I didn't see any.
November 17, 2021
This book was sooooo stupid! I can't UNRECOMMEND this enough! Don't waste your time.
June 5, 2021
The Invitation
I feel bad saying this but I really hated this book.
To begin with...It was much too wordy...the sentences were sometimes so long that I lost track of what was being said...and I struggled with the style of writing in general. It was much too descriptive in some places and lacking in others.
Then..the characters were all vile. There wasn't a single redeeming quality amongst them.
They were also old fashioned stereo types which I was cringing and rolling my eyes at.
The women were passive and "grateful" for their boorish and cheating spouses...which made me furious and the men were all roving eyes, liars and useless fathers...and of course their roving eyes were their wives fault.
There wasn't a single action I could relate too. If you don't want to visit your friends home for the weekend...then don't! You are adults.
Why wasn't there any maturity or accountability?
For example Jane arrived late. Then she had to "suffer " in an old fleece during the arrival drinks. Are there any adults that would actually do this? Why wouldn't you just say "can I please freshen up?". Why wouldn't Gita or Vicky say "Shall I take you upstairs?" Or even Rachel as the hostess would show them their rooms. As an adult you don't get punished for being late...and you certainly don't just needlessly suffer amongst "friends" with windswept hair and bad clothes. At the very least you would ask to use the restroom for a quick freshen up.
Jane and her issues were difficult to read. Its a subject that should be easily relatable.. especially to me who is in a very similar situation. Yet, I couldn't relate...at all.
They didn't feel like "adult" thoughts but teenage rage and day dreams. Surely by adulthood your thoughts would be more nuanced? If you had such a big issue then wouldn't you confide in your friends rather than punishing them for something that wasn't their fault?
There wasn't a single moment of "Yes I could see that happening"
Tom, for example, was a bland bore and as the catch of the century...why weren't we shown his charisma or charm or anything that would make him a suitable mate for an accomplished woman. As it was he didn't have a single redeeming quality and why these four women all swooned over him I will never know!
The actual murder happened in a rush and there wasn't a drip of information or clues but instead a drop of scandal all at once that needed to be more nuanced.
The whole storylines with Tasha and Ruby were obvious and by the time we got to Nessie's ridiculous storyline I nearly stopped reading.
Nessie's storyline turned the book into complete farce. It was so daft that I do not know how that got past the ideas stage let alone into actual print.
I was hoping that there would be a big reveal or surprise that would make everyone's immaturity make sense and that there would be a reason the characters acted like they were but by the time we had Nessie's story it was too far gone.
I am really sorry to write such a scathing review. The synopsis of this book was so good and I was looking forward to a murder mystery set in a setting like St Michael's Mount but this storyline wasn't for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Apologies if it was too honest.
I feel bad saying this but I really hated this book.
To begin with...It was much too wordy...the sentences were sometimes so long that I lost track of what was being said...and I struggled with the style of writing in general. It was much too descriptive in some places and lacking in others.
Then..the characters were all vile. There wasn't a single redeeming quality amongst them.
They were also old fashioned stereo types which I was cringing and rolling my eyes at.
The women were passive and "grateful" for their boorish and cheating spouses...which made me furious and the men were all roving eyes, liars and useless fathers...and of course their roving eyes were their wives fault.
There wasn't a single action I could relate too. If you don't want to visit your friends home for the weekend...then don't! You are adults.
Why wasn't there any maturity or accountability?
For example Jane arrived late. Then she had to "suffer " in an old fleece during the arrival drinks. Are there any adults that would actually do this? Why wouldn't you just say "can I please freshen up?". Why wouldn't Gita or Vicky say "Shall I take you upstairs?" Or even Rachel as the hostess would show them their rooms. As an adult you don't get punished for being late...and you certainly don't just needlessly suffer amongst "friends" with windswept hair and bad clothes. At the very least you would ask to use the restroom for a quick freshen up.
Jane and her issues were difficult to read. Its a subject that should be easily relatable.. especially to me who is in a very similar situation. Yet, I couldn't relate...at all.
They didn't feel like "adult" thoughts but teenage rage and day dreams. Surely by adulthood your thoughts would be more nuanced? If you had such a big issue then wouldn't you confide in your friends rather than punishing them for something that wasn't their fault?
There wasn't a single moment of "Yes I could see that happening"
Tom, for example, was a bland bore and as the catch of the century...why weren't we shown his charisma or charm or anything that would make him a suitable mate for an accomplished woman. As it was he didn't have a single redeeming quality and why these four women all swooned over him I will never know!
The actual murder happened in a rush and there wasn't a drip of information or clues but instead a drop of scandal all at once that needed to be more nuanced.
The whole storylines with Tasha and Ruby were obvious and by the time we got to Nessie's ridiculous storyline I nearly stopped reading.
Nessie's storyline turned the book into complete farce. It was so daft that I do not know how that got past the ideas stage let alone into actual print.
I was hoping that there would be a big reveal or surprise that would make everyone's immaturity make sense and that there would be a reason the characters acted like they were but by the time we had Nessie's story it was too far gone.
I am really sorry to write such a scathing review. The synopsis of this book was so good and I was looking forward to a murder mystery set in a setting like St Michael's Mount but this storyline wasn't for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Apologies if it was too honest.
May 24, 2021
This book has a great premise but imo it definitely falls flat. It promises you this spooky island vibes, 13 at dinner situation and many more and then just faild to deliver.
The characters are all one dimentional - a mean girl, a drunk, a plain jane, a mother hen, a manwhore, an angsty teen, and few others you don't need to bother about.
You know who's gonna get killed after like few pages and yet you have to wait forever for them to die (it literally happens after 50% of the book). It's very tiring, waiting for the obvious to happen without any real suspense.
The characters are also unlikable in a way that it's hard to root for anyone. It's hard for a reader to care. The way characters react to cetrain events is so devoid of emotion it's ridiculous and doesn't feel real. When one person decides to do something reckless and dangerous to save everyone and at some point others reckon this person died doing it there's no real emotion. "Oh your child probably died horrible death. Stop being so emotional, jesus, woman", "X spent all this time in bed uslessly" Like, excuse me for being sad my child probs died. [these are not actual quotes, fyi.]
The writing is weird. It's not bad, it's just weird.
It's all in present tense, which I don't love but don't hate either. But the way characters speak is just so... idk... like they're telling the story to their mates in the pub and they're trying RELLY had to be funny and entertaining, it's hard to describe.
There were also too many POVs to read comfortably and I had to check every now and then whose chapter is it now.
The ending is a bit ridiculous, tbh. Like this whole baby plot twist made me snort out loud, honestly.
I'm rating this book 2 stars, because it wasn't the worst thriller I've read in my life. It just wasn't good.
I received this book from the Publishet in an exchange for an honest review
The characters are all one dimentional - a mean girl, a drunk, a plain jane, a mother hen, a manwhore, an angsty teen, and few others you don't need to bother about.
You know who's gonna get killed after like few pages and yet you have to wait forever for them to die (it literally happens after 50% of the book). It's very tiring, waiting for the obvious to happen without any real suspense.
The characters are also unlikable in a way that it's hard to root for anyone. It's hard for a reader to care. The way characters react to cetrain events is so devoid of emotion it's ridiculous and doesn't feel real. When one person decides to do something reckless and dangerous to save everyone and at some point others reckon this person died doing it there's no real emotion. "Oh your child probably died horrible death. Stop being so emotional, jesus, woman", "X spent all this time in bed uslessly" Like, excuse me for being sad my child probs died. [these are not actual quotes, fyi.]
The writing is weird. It's not bad, it's just weird.
It's all in present tense, which I don't love but don't hate either. But the way characters speak is just so... idk... like they're telling the story to their mates in the pub and they're trying RELLY had to be funny and entertaining, it's hard to describe.
There were also too many POVs to read comfortably and I had to check every now and then whose chapter is it now.
The ending is a bit ridiculous, tbh. Like this whole baby plot twist made me snort out loud, honestly.
I'm rating this book 2 stars, because it wasn't the worst thriller I've read in my life. It just wasn't good.
I received this book from the Publishet in an exchange for an honest review
March 4, 2022
After reading a few pages of this book I found it very boring it sounded like an autobiography didn't keep my interest at all
May 15, 2021
Bah
I think it's unfair to the reader to classify this book/author on the same page as Agatha Christie. This book is not even close.
The story is pedestrian. There is no sense of suspense. None of the characters are likable. And the ending was terrible. The best part of the book was finishing it.
I think it's unfair to the reader to classify this book/author on the same page as Agatha Christie. This book is not even close.
The story is pedestrian. There is no sense of suspense. None of the characters are likable. And the ending was terrible. The best part of the book was finishing it.
April 7, 2021
This is, in effect, a locked room mystery. Four university friends and their families get together around 20 years later on an island cut off twice a day by the tides. One of the four has married the owner of the castle on the island. There’s a huge storm, cutting them off for more than the usual tide times. Then there’s a murder. The characters in this book were very well drawn to the extent that on occasions I could tell who was speaking even if it hadn’t been indicated. I played amateur detective but was a total failure. The pace was good and I enjoyed it immensely.
April 15, 2021
Classic Who Dunnit it, was ok very similar to a lot of other books I have read.2.5 stars
October 25, 2021
This one I chose for a quick read and it made me smile when I noticed that the main event took place on the 31st of October at a Halloween party. It fits into my 'Spooky October' reading.
January 17, 2022
Great story, really enjoyed this book, a real who done it, although at first I was a little put off as it was in written in first person by all the main characters, a very different approach but I caught on and then I was off to the races.
Reminded me of Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians although here there were only 2 murders but so much lying, deceit and backstabbing that I couldn’t put it down.
In fact I am going to read another book by this author. The Perfect Widow. Off I go!
Reminded me of Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians although here there were only 2 murders but so much lying, deceit and backstabbing that I couldn’t put it down.
In fact I am going to read another book by this author. The Perfect Widow. Off I go!
October 11, 2021
Such a great plot and style, but the execution is lacking.
The plot? A group of friends and their partners go to an island owned by the rich friend's new husband. Someone dies. But who did it?
The style? Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the characters, but the story moves along chronologically. Great, fantastic, you know what everyone is thinking.
The problems? Well, where do I start.
1. While each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the characters, yet each character is exactly the same. Other than having a different histories and different characteristics, I felt like they didn't seem different at all.
2. There is too much build up for very little delivery. The big Halloween party was supposed to have more to it, but yet didn't? Why have everyone dress up in a weird costume and not really ever tell us why. Why have a reveal but then it's not real but yet is (the pregnancy). Strange.
3. The ending was silly. I didn't like who the murderer was, or why. It only just made sense and even then not particularly. It could have been much better.
4. We get Tom was a cheater, but why was there not more to it? I don't know, I get he liked to cheat, but why? For the thrill of it? So much is hinted but nothing is confirmed and people don't want that.
5. What was the point of the treasure hunt or whatever it was for the kids? It seemed utterly pointless and out of character for Rachel. Also all the events surrounding it seemed pointless.
6. Why was the boat broken so they couldn't leave? Was the killer planning on killing someone else? Really? I mean sure they did, but it seems like they didn't need to break the boat? Weird. Also did the killer have the two people he was going to kill planned all along? Surely not. It just seemed odd.
7. The pregnancy thing was so inconsistent and was not a red herring, it was just weird.
8. The killer did it because X and knew how to do it because Y. Worst explanation ever.
Overall, this was almost a good book. I liked reading it, but felt like a lot of it was unnecessary. You could almost skip the first 143 pages and not miss out on much.
The plot? A group of friends and their partners go to an island owned by the rich friend's new husband. Someone dies. But who did it?
The style? Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the characters, but the story moves along chronologically. Great, fantastic, you know what everyone is thinking.
The problems? Well, where do I start.
1. While each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the characters, yet each character is exactly the same. Other than having a different histories and different characteristics, I felt like they didn't seem different at all.
2. There is too much build up for very little delivery. The big Halloween party was supposed to have more to it, but yet didn't? Why have everyone dress up in a weird costume and not really ever tell us why. Why have a reveal but then it's not real but yet is (the pregnancy). Strange.
3. The ending was silly. I didn't like who the murderer was, or why. It only just made sense and even then not particularly. It could have been much better.
4. We get Tom was a cheater, but why was there not more to it? I don't know, I get he liked to cheat, but why? For the thrill of it? So much is hinted but nothing is confirmed and people don't want that.
5. What was the point of the treasure hunt or whatever it was for the kids? It seemed utterly pointless and out of character for Rachel. Also all the events surrounding it seemed pointless.
6. Why was the boat broken so they couldn't leave? Was the killer planning on killing someone else? Really? I mean sure they did, but it seems like they didn't need to break the boat? Weird. Also did the killer have the two people he was going to kill planned all along? Surely not. It just seemed odd.
7. The pregnancy thing was so inconsistent and was not a red herring, it was just weird.
8. The killer did it because X and knew how to do it because Y. Worst explanation ever.
Overall, this was almost a good book. I liked reading it, but felt like a lot of it was unnecessary. You could almost skip the first 143 pages and not miss out on much.
February 27, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for the arc of The Invitation by A.M Castle.
4 stars- It is set in Cornwall, England which isn't far from where I live and this is a locked room mystery book.. i love these types of books. This is set on a island within a castle with 13 guest whom are locked up due to the weather as it is a huge storm! And they have no signal on their phones to no internet connection. Landline phone isn't working and the boat has been sabotaged.. so there isn't any way in which to get back from there.
Then there is a Halloween party in where somebody ends up dead... but fact is that no-one saw a thing... and all of them have grudges for other guests and all of them have secrets so who was it and who had motive to kill..
This was such a thrilling and interesting read, had me hooked start to finish
Highly Recommend
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars- It is set in Cornwall, England which isn't far from where I live and this is a locked room mystery book.. i love these types of books. This is set on a island within a castle with 13 guest whom are locked up due to the weather as it is a huge storm! And they have no signal on their phones to no internet connection. Landline phone isn't working and the boat has been sabotaged.. so there isn't any way in which to get back from there.
Then there is a Halloween party in where somebody ends up dead... but fact is that no-one saw a thing... and all of them have grudges for other guests and all of them have secrets so who was it and who had motive to kill..
This was such a thrilling and interesting read, had me hooked start to finish
Highly Recommend
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 22, 2021
I was intrigued by this book as I love a locked room mystery, and it's set in Cornwall, where I grew up. I assume the island is a fictionalised version of St Michael's Mount.
The story was actually really good, I liked how all the characters had secrets and I didn't guess all of them either. I also didn't guess who the murderer was and I love it when I'm surprised by that. None of the characters were particularly likeable so it was difficult to root for any of them but they did feel real and the author did a good job of creating distinct personalities in quite a large cast.
The thing that grated on me a bit is that the author would conveniently forget that there was no internet/mobile signal.
I did enjoy this but it was just missing the wow factor that will make me remember it. It was a good novel, but it just stopped short of being excellent.
The story was actually really good, I liked how all the characters had secrets and I didn't guess all of them either. I also didn't guess who the murderer was and I love it when I'm surprised by that. None of the characters were particularly likeable so it was difficult to root for any of them but they did feel real and the author did a good job of creating distinct personalities in quite a large cast.
The thing that grated on me a bit is that the author would conveniently forget that there was no internet/mobile signal.
I did enjoy this but it was just missing the wow factor that will make me remember it. It was a good novel, but it just stopped short of being excellent.
June 7, 2021
Awful, dreary and poorly written - a drawn out depressing drama not a decent whodunnit. It's the usual closed-circle set up of characters secluded on an island when a murder happens... But urgh nothing happens for so many chapters, all the characters are annoying and horrible human beings - even the kids. It's very obvious who will die first because the author lacks the skill to build tension and instead makes one character even more killable than the rest. By the time they die I didn't care, anyone or all of them could've been slaughtered and I would only have felt relief.
There's nobody to root for, the soap opera storylines are so dreary and all the female characters are weak, bitchy, disloyal, whining or pathetic. Didn't finish, just imagined my own ending where the storm destroyed the castle and everyone in it.
There's nobody to root for, the soap opera storylines are so dreary and all the female characters are weak, bitchy, disloyal, whining or pathetic. Didn't finish, just imagined my own ending where the storm destroyed the castle and everyone in it.
August 3, 2021
This novel was recommended for fans of The Guest List, so I looked forward to reading it.
Rachel is super wealthy and glamorous and has recently married a rich older man, who owns a remote island with a castle on it. She invites some old university friends round for a lavish reunion Halloween party and makes a big deal about having thirteen guests.
The other university friends seem to follow a tired stereotype. Vicky is a divorced alcoholic, Gita is a people pleaser seemingly oblivious to her unfaithful husband, and Jane is very plain.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the adults at the party. I found all of them so unlikeable and weirdly beholden to Rachel. If they disliked her so much or really didn’t want to go, they could have said so. Jane and her husband arrive late and are in such a flap they don’t go to get changed out of their wet clothes into something more suitable. I found it strange behaviour from grown adults.
Rachel is insufferable and a total shit stirrer, trying to provoke everyone into falling out.
I found the story really slow paced and lacking in suspense or tension. I was disappointed as I felt more could have been made of the setting and it could have been creepy.
Some parts felt quite unbelievable and/or pointless and the ending was flat. I think the author tried to be descriptive at times, but I thought a lot of the descriptions were odd and didn’t fit with the story.
I guessed whodunnit but wasn’t really that bothered.
Sadly this one wasn’t for me and I thought it was like a Wish version of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Harper Collins for a copy for review.
Rachel is super wealthy and glamorous and has recently married a rich older man, who owns a remote island with a castle on it. She invites some old university friends round for a lavish reunion Halloween party and makes a big deal about having thirteen guests.
The other university friends seem to follow a tired stereotype. Vicky is a divorced alcoholic, Gita is a people pleaser seemingly oblivious to her unfaithful husband, and Jane is very plain.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the adults at the party. I found all of them so unlikeable and weirdly beholden to Rachel. If they disliked her so much or really didn’t want to go, they could have said so. Jane and her husband arrive late and are in such a flap they don’t go to get changed out of their wet clothes into something more suitable. I found it strange behaviour from grown adults.
Rachel is insufferable and a total shit stirrer, trying to provoke everyone into falling out.
I found the story really slow paced and lacking in suspense or tension. I was disappointed as I felt more could have been made of the setting and it could have been creepy.
Some parts felt quite unbelievable and/or pointless and the ending was flat. I think the author tried to be descriptive at times, but I thought a lot of the descriptions were odd and didn’t fit with the story.
I guessed whodunnit but wasn’t really that bothered.
Sadly this one wasn’t for me and I thought it was like a Wish version of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Harper Collins for a copy for review.
September 20, 2024
Man. You don't even find out who dies until over 50% of the way through this book. Not only that, other than tiny little hints throughout the first half, I didn't even understand why everyone was gathered together. Quite frankly, the author had to dumb it down and spell it out for me at the end of the book just to clear it up, and I STILL didn't understand why they made such a big deal about it all.
There are so many povs that things were constantly being repeated from one person to the next. I was also having to check back to see whose pov i was reading because it was so muddled and messy; I couldn't keep things straight.
I also don't like any of the characters. Literally, not one.. Probably because all any of the characters do in their povs is bitch complain and gossip about everyone else. They all pretty much secretly hate each other and aren't shy about it.
Nothing about this one worked for me. Nada. It was a mish mash of ideas poorly put together and called a murder mystery.
There are so many povs that things were constantly being repeated from one person to the next. I was also having to check back to see whose pov i was reading because it was so muddled and messy; I couldn't keep things straight.
I also don't like any of the characters. Literally, not one.. Probably because all any of the characters do in their povs is bitch complain and gossip about everyone else. They all pretty much secretly hate each other and aren't shy about it.
Nothing about this one worked for me. Nada. It was a mish mash of ideas poorly put together and called a murder mystery.
November 10, 2025
The set-up is not particularly original - old friends from uni reunite, an isolated location, secrets from the past, everyone sleeping with people other than the ones they're married to bla bla bla. If done well, it makes an entertaining murder mystery. In this case, it makes an overly long story where the murder doesn't happen until the halfway mark, and even after it's happened, there is no investigation of motives, alibis etc: just a group of deeply unpleasant people standing around complaining, making no effort to contact the outside world - even though several characters are described as constantly being on their phones - and making melodramatically ominous statements about how much various others need to be silenced before they reveal a big, dark secret (the big, dark secrets in question are ludicrous and implausible rather than clever).
By the time you get to the big reveal, you don't particularly care who committed the murder, so all you can do is sigh at the way the murderer is revealed, and the way their motive and MO are explained.
By the time you get to the big reveal, you don't particularly care who committed the murder, so all you can do is sigh at the way the murderer is revealed, and the way their motive and MO are explained.
April 26, 2021
The blurb on this ticked all my boxes: mystery, intriguing setting , Agatha Christie vibes. Tautly paced, this novel kept this reader on the edge of her seat in a cat and mouse storyline that actually is kind of a cat and mouse game between reader and writer too! Because just when I thought I had figured out the killer...I had to guess again.
The author skillfully juggles many points of view to deliver the tale which allows for fully developed characterization. I was reminded a bit of Lianne Moriarty's novels in fact in how the characters came across. While it could be risky to have all the characters telling their points of view, it comes off brilliantly and really works here.
I consider myself lucky that this is the first novel I have read by this author---because I get to read the other ones she has out!
The author skillfully juggles many points of view to deliver the tale which allows for fully developed characterization. I was reminded a bit of Lianne Moriarty's novels in fact in how the characters came across. While it could be risky to have all the characters telling their points of view, it comes off brilliantly and really works here.
I consider myself lucky that this is the first novel I have read by this author---because I get to read the other ones she has out!
July 16, 2021
I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, the majority of this book disappointed me. The unoriginal plot, and the uninteresting/rushed ending just completely ruined this book for me. I must admit, after the murder, the build-up to the reveal kept me on edge because it literally could of been ANY of the characters, but everything before and after just didn't peak my interest at all. I was a little bored throughout most of the book sadly.
This was a first read from this author, so I'll still read another and give them another chance, but this one really wasn't for me.
Honestly, the majority of this book disappointed me. The unoriginal plot, and the uninteresting/rushed ending just completely ruined this book for me. I must admit, after the murder, the build-up to the reveal kept me on edge because it literally could of been ANY of the characters, but everything before and after just didn't peak my interest at all. I was a little bored throughout most of the book sadly.
This was a first read from this author, so I'll still read another and give them another chance, but this one really wasn't for me.
September 26, 2021
HQ (26 Mar 2021)
Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.
And then there were twelve ★★☆☆☆
Newly married Rachel Tregowan invites her oldest friends to her private island to celebrate. However, her true motivation is to expose all of their secrets and lies amidst a grand announcement of her own.
On the night of the party and the grand reveal one of their group is murdered. Who is killer amongst them? Which of their festering secrets gives the greatest motive? Will anybody escape the island as the storm rages on inside and out?
Whilst the secrets and motivations are a complex web which keeps us guessing, the characters themselves – such as Vicky, Geoff, and Tom – sometimes feel a little brash and one dimensional. I also found the ending a little underwhelming.
A light whodunnit for a stormy night.
Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.
And then there were twelve ★★☆☆☆
Newly married Rachel Tregowan invites her oldest friends to her private island to celebrate. However, her true motivation is to expose all of their secrets and lies amidst a grand announcement of her own.
On the night of the party and the grand reveal one of their group is murdered. Who is killer amongst them? Which of their festering secrets gives the greatest motive? Will anybody escape the island as the storm rages on inside and out?
Whilst the secrets and motivations are a complex web which keeps us guessing, the characters themselves – such as Vicky, Geoff, and Tom – sometimes feel a little brash and one dimensional. I also found the ending a little underwhelming.
A light whodunnit for a stormy night.
September 8, 2023
Jag lyckas inte hålla koncentrationen tillräckligt bra för att helt hålla karaktärerna isär. Männen heter alla typ samma sak: Josh, Tom, Jeff, Raff. Det är dessutom en hel drös med kvinnor och massor av barn, och alla har en relation till varandra på ett eller annat sätt men jag lär mig aldrig hur de hör ihop.
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